My journey with Padma Shri Guru Nataraja Ramakrishna Garu began the day I heard from my first Guru Abjal Pasha Sir that Guru Ramakrishna Garu was going to start a big Perini workshop at Warangal. I was 15 years old at that time and that was the first time I heard the word Perini. The word Perini itself gave me energy and made me think and gather information about Guru ji and his workshop. Then, I came to know that he was the Guru of my Guru Abjal Pasha. I also got to know about Perini at that time. Fortunately, I also got a chance to reach the workshop under the guidance of Guru Kala Krishna and Guru Bandi Kumar.
During the workshop, while following Guru Ramakrishna Garu’s instructions, I could feel tremendous force and positive vibes and thoughts in my mind. With the energy generated by Perini, I was confident and determined to learn it. When I was explaining about the Jathis at the workshop, they were amazed. At the end of the workshop, I met Guru Nataraja Ramakrishna for the first time and took his valuable blessings. After sometime, we had a chance to perform Perini, under the tutelage of Guru Kala Krishna and Guru Bandi Kumar. Under their guidance, I’ve participated in many programmes. I have performed at Red Fort on the occasion of Republic Day in front of the President, Prime Minister, and senior officials and dignitaries. One day, Guru Nataraja Ramakrishna Garu saw our (mine and my friend Naresh) performance and suggested to undertake a World tour to promote Perini. Due to his critical health condition the project was postponed and I decided to spend time with him. I’ve learnt many things and gained much knowledge.
About Perini, Guru Nataraja Ramakrishna always used to say that he had a dream to introduce our culture to the younger generation through our education system. This remark has left a lasting impression on me.
After, he passed away, I went to Malaysia to teach dance for five years. I returned to India and took up the project ‘Perini Rathyathra’ (101 continuous days of Performing Perini in schools and temples) in 2016. Have conducted many workshops and still trying to fulfil the dreams of Guru Nataraja Ramakrishna under the guidance of Guru Kala Krishna. His books are an inspiration to many art forms. He also discovered some traditional art forms. He gave a wonderful art form to the Telugu people after a lot of research on Kakatiya dynasty that’s ‘Perini Natyam’. I’m soldier forever to realise his dreams.
~Perini Rajkumar